Tons of beer events will stuff the calendar around town in the days before and during GABF, from roaring mini-festivals of wild and sour beer to intimate meet-the-brewer dinners, from a Gospel brunch to one-off beers inspired by hikes.

Consider this your guide.

As in past years, we’re including sold-out events here in case you’d like to try your hand at getting in somehow.

Staging a GABF Week 2014 event or know about one? Drop us a line on Twitter or Facebook, or e-mail egorski@denverpost.com

We will continually update this post as more events roll in.

Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday Sept. 27

CROOKED STAVE WEEKEND IN SNOWMASS
Gold-plate your GABF Week in the greater Aspen area with Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project and founder/head brewer Chad Yakobsen. The Viceroy hotel and resort will play host to a meet-the-brewer reception on Friday night ($47/person) followed by a couple of seminars on Saturday afternoon ($20 apiece with some great-sounding beers) and culminating with a $182-per-person 10-course beer dinner on Saturday night. Hotel packages available. Details here.

FRESH HOP FESTIVAL
Noon-4 p.m.: The one-day celebration of the hop harvest staged annually at Falling Rock Tap House in LoDo returns with out-of-state breweries and a greater variety of beer styles. You’ll find not only fresh-hop pale ales and IPAs, but also brown ales, Belgians and stouts. (Fresh-hopped beers are made with hops within 24 hours of harvest). This ninth edition involves a partnership with the Colorado Brewers Guild and Imbibe, which seems to have a hand in just about every local beer festival these days. The as-of-now lineup features 21 Colorado breweries and promises West Coasts breweries yet to be named. Tickets are $40 plus $2.99 fee in advance and available here.Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St, Denver

Hops and Pie always brings it GABF Week

HOPS AND PIE’S 4TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Noon-close: Leah and Drew Watson’s artisanal pizza and craft beer joint in northwest Denver celebrates its fourth anniversary with a heavyweight lineup of a dozen rarities from Avery Brewing. Tappings include Bad Apple, Chair Brown, the sours Obscuro/Nimbus and Rufus Corvus, Uncle Jacob’s Stout and a new arrival, Pumpkyn, a whiskey-barrel aged porter with pumpkin and spices. Flights and single pours, raffles and more. No tickets needed.3920 Tennyson St, Denver

GREEN.BEER.FESTIVAL
2 p.m.-10 p.m.: Formerly called the Frack Free Brew Festival (phew – no beer brewed with fracking fluid), this event promises to unite “Colorado’s microbreweries, indie musicians, farmers, pioneering people and companies working across industries doing epic things to save the world (aka sustainable innovation).” Not much information online about the participating breweries, but it looks like Asher Brewing in Boulder is on board. Beer cups $30 in advance, $40 at the door.Boulder Bandshell, 1212 Canyon Blvd, Boulder

GREAT DIVIDE DINNER AT MAGGIANO’S
6:30 p.m.: The Italian chain Maggiano’s is not the first place you’d expect a beer dinner, so it’ll be interesting to see how things play out when Great Divide pairs its beers over five courses (as you’d expect, pasta isn’t in the offing). The dessert pairing sounds delicious … Oatmeal Yeti along with Peanut Butter Ice Cream. Full menu and information here. $60/person.500 16th St., Ste 150, Denver

PAIRINGS FOR ODELL’S 25th ANNIVERSARY WEEK
11 a.m. – 6p.m.: Jax Fish House Old Town Pearl food cart, the Common Link food truck and Taco Stop will be cooking onsite at Odell Brewing Company and giving pairing suggestions. ​This pairing event is part of a week of celebrations for Odell’s 25th anniversary. Live music from Patti Fiasco will occur at 1:30 p.m. and from John Paul Hodge and the No Fences at 4 p.m.

1,400 MILES BLOCK PARTY
11 a.m.: Another fundraiser for men’s prostate health during GABF Week? Absolutely. This block party in the flowing-with-beer RiNO Arts District marks the finale of a ride benefiting 1,400 Miles, which promotes prostate health through bikes and beer. Among the beery highlights are special Radler beers created by Epic Brewing and Our Mutual Friend. Tickets are $20.2600 Larimer St, Denver

DRINK LUCKY PIE DRY
4 p.m.: Few better places to be than a beer bar trying to clear out its taps for something like GABF Week. Lucky Pie Pizza and Tap House in LoDo will be that place today.1610 16th St, Denver

ALES, LAGERS AND BEYOND: TASTING AND APPRECIATING BEER AT METRO STATE
5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: Metro State is shoring up its beer education efforts and for GABF Week it is staging a two-hour course covering the major styles of beer, how to analyze flavor, pair beer with food and choose the right glassware. The class is led by Scott Kerkmans, a former brewer at Alaskan Brewing Company who helped start Draft Magazine. Note that the time has been pushed back and the cost reduced. Cost is now $35 per person instead of $49 and more information can be found here.Metro State University, 1190 Auraria Parkway, Denver

LOBSTER, BBQ, BOULEVARD AND MNF AT HIGHLAND TAP AND BURGER
5 p.m.-10 p.m.: Well done, Highland Tap and Burger, well done. The Highland area restaurant with the solid craft beer menu and a sport bar vibe hosts the perfect GABF Week Monday Night Football gathering. As the Chiefs take on the Patriots, munch on KC-style barbecue and New England lobster rolls while enjoying beers from Boulevard in Kansas City and (a real treat around here) Jack’s Abby from Framingham, Mass. More information here.

PARAMOUNT CAFE BEER FEST
5 p.m.-8 p.m.: More than 20 breweries pour backstage at the Paramount Theatre downtown. Tickets run $20 and are available for sale at the Paramount Cafe. All proceeds go the Rocky Mountain Autism Center.1621 Glenarm Place, Denver

SCHMALTZ TAKEOVER AT BARRELS AND BOTTLES
5 p.m.-10 p.m.: For the second year, and New York state and San Francisco-based brewers and master marketers Schmaltz Brewing comes to the Golden watering hole for GABF Week. Founder/owner Jeremy Cowan will be on hand. Lineup information here.600 12th St #160, Golden

CROOKED STAVE FAMILY OF BREWERIES AT WORLD OF BEER LODO – new
5 p.m.: The brand new outpost of World of Beer rings in GABF Week with a roster of breweries distributing by Crooked Stave (these guys are all over the place this week): Crooked Stave, Evil Twin, Stillwater, Prairie, Jester King, Perennial and Breakside. Some goodies in here, too, like Crooked Stave’s excellent Batch 100 and a nice-sounding list from the ascending San Francisco-based Almanac: Cerise Sour, IPA BOMB and Heirloom Pumpkin Barley wine.World of Beer, 555 Blake St, Denver

WOMEN OF COLORADO CRAFT BEER CALENDAR RELEASE AT COLORADO PLUS
6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: More women are taking prominent roles in Colorado brewing, and at least 12 are calendar pinups. Copper Penny Photography releases the second edition of this calendar and the featured women will be there to sign autographs at Colorado Plus, which has 56 Colorado-only beers on tap.Colorado Plus, 6995 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge

FORMER FUTURE EMPANADA PAIRING
7 p.m.: The nearly year-old science geek brewery on Broadway is pairing four beers with four empanadas. Tickets, $18 each, can be purchased at the tap room or over the phone (720-441-4253).Former Future Brewing, 1290 S Broadway, Denver

BRECKENRIDGE AND FREE FREE FIRKIN PARTY AT KREWE CRESCENT CITY BBQ
7 p.m.-10 p.m.: Enjoy a free firkin from Breckenridge (presumably while it lasts. Three other specialty Breckenridge beers will be on tap along with Autumn Ale.Krewe City BBQ, 1109 Lincoln St, Denver

GUARD AND GRACE GREAT DIVIDE BEER DINNER
7 p.m.: A five-course beer dinner at Guard and Grace Steakhouse, part of TAG Restaurant Group. $80 per person. Click here for the menu and details.Guard and Grace Steakhouse, 1801 California St, Denver

OD(D) CORRIDOR BREWERY BUS TOUR:
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: New this year, a group of breweries outside Denver’s core team up to offer a bus tour out to their establishments. Featured breweries are Odyssey Beerwerks in Arvada, Big Choice Brewing in Broomfield, Front Range Brewing Company in Lafayette and Odd13 Brewing, also in Lafayette. The $35 price includes a buffet lunch and happy-hour beer pricing at each stop. Tickets here.Pickup and dropoff near the Colorado Convention Center

CROOKED STAVE ARTISANS TAP TAKEOVER AT HOPS AND PIE
11:30 a.m.: Hops and Pie has its hands on a number of kegs from breweries associated with Crooked Stave. Some are distributed here and others are pouring at the What the Funk?! festival, so if you missed out on those tickets here’s a chance to check out some of those breweries. On tap are Prairie, Perennial, Almanac, Breakside, Stillwater, Evil Twin, Jester King, Westbrook, Boneyard, 10 Barrel and Oakshire.Hops and Pie, 3920 Tennyson St, Denver

OSKAR BLUES ORDEAL + HOPS & HEIFERS BARN BURNER & PIG ROAST
11 a.m.-8 p.m.: Longmont-based Oskar Blues is back with its popular Ordeal bus tours of all things OB. It’s a big time commitment, but also a great option for visitors wanting to expand their beer tours outside of Denver with someone else doing the driving. The first of the three consecutive days of Ordeal will pick up beer lovers at the Hyatt Regency at the Convention Center, includes stops at CHUBurger for a beer, a Cajun-style lunch at the Homemade Liquid & Solids restaurant, a visit to REEB Cycles and the finale – a pig roast and bonfire at the Hops and Heifers farm, a central part of the farm-to-can ethos of the state’s second largest craft brewery. Plenty of beer is served along the way, as you can imagine. It’ll set you back $100 plus fees for the entire Ordeal, or $65 plus fees for the barn burner and pig roast.

5TH ANNUAL LYONS BEER RE-UNION BEER FESTIVAL
5 p.m.-10 p.m.: An evening of live music, food and beer donated by about a dozen breweries including Avery, BJs Boulder, Boulder Beer, City Star, Fat Heads, Golden Road, Left Hand, Maui, Mission, Odell, Oskar Blues, Ska, Stone, Upslope and West Flanders. Proceeds will go to the family of Kellner Schoenke of Nederland, who died in a 2010 motorcycle accident, and the Lyons Community Foundation. More information available here.Lyons Fork, 450 Main St, Lyons

BARREL-AGED BEER COMPETITION AT WORLD OF BEER CHERRY CREEK – updated
6 p.m.-9 p.m.: The Cherry Creek World of Beer location is staging its second annual contest pitting 30 barrel-aged beers with unlimited samplings for $40 $50, which could be dangerous.World of Beer, 660 S Colorado Blvd, Denver

AVERY BREWING AT WORLD OF BEER LODO – new
5 p.m.: Avery Brewing brings beers exclusive to its Boulder tap room on the road to LoDo. A dozen Avery special beers will be on tap and owner Adam Avery will be in attendance.World of Beer, 1555 Blake St, Denver

OFFENSIVELY DELICIOUS
6 p.m.-10 p.m.: A craft beer comedy show? Why not? See how funny (or unfunny) participating brewery reps are before the stage is taken over by the pros (Denver’s Adam-Cayton Holland and headliner Nikki Glaser). Open tasting starts at 6 p.m. and the kegs will keep flowing once the laughs begin at 8 p.m. Tickets ($40 plus fees, available here) include three full pours and the option to buy more. Breweries are a nice GABF Week mix of local and national, including Renegade, Epic, Breckenridge, Brooklyn, Community Beer, Ommegang, Santa Fe, Schmaltz and Boulevard. Proceeds go to MaxFund no-kill Animal Shelter.Oriental Theater, 4335 West 44th Ave, Denver

YOUNG GUNS DINNER AT THE KITCHEN DENVER
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.: For the second year, The Kitchen Denver will pair food with beers from a collection of young brewers making a mark. Featuring a reception, five course family-style meal and beers from Almanac Beer Co., Cigar City, Crooked Stave, Jester King and Prairie. Tickets are a steep $130 per person plus fees.The Kitchen Denver, 1530 16th St, Denver

SURLY, CIGAR CITY AND MORE AT STAR BAR
6 p.m.: Minneapolis-based Surly Brewing and Cigar City Brewing of Tampa, Fla., will grab some of Star Bar’s taps and it sounds like more are likely to be added. Good ones here.Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St, Denver

UINTA BREWERY AND SPIEGELAU GLASS COMPANY BEER DINNER AT 1515
6:30 p.m.: A four-course dinner with beers from Utah and glassware that is guaranteed to be perfectly paired and likely fragile. $50 per person not including tax or tip.1515 Restaurant, 1515 Market St, Denver

OMMEGANG ‘VALAR MORGHULIS’ RELEASE AT KREWE CRESCENT CITY BBQ
7 p.m.-10 p.m.: Winter is coming. Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Brewery Ommegang releases the fourth beer in the “Game of Thrones” collaboration series, Valar Morghulis (that’s the name of the tenth and final episode in the HBO show’s second season … fans voted in the name of the beer). An Abbey Dubbel was selected, as it is supposed to represent the two-headed coin given to needle-wielding Arya Stark by the mysterious Jaqen H’ghar. In any case, a total of five fine Ommegang beers will be on tap – including the third beer in the Game of Thrones series.Krewe City BBQ, 1109 Lincoln St, Denver

GAME OF THRONES NIGHT AT CHEEKY MONK
7 p.m.: Special tappings of the aforementioned two Ommegang Game of Thrones beers, Valar Morghulis and Fire and Blood.Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Cafe, 534 E Colfax Ave, Denver

BATTLE OF FORT COLLINS
6 p.m. – close: Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 111 Lincoln St. Denver, will hold a tap takeover between New Belgium and Odell breweries. The festivities will include live music and wild game barbecue.

Thursday, October 2

The Ordeal returneth.

OSKAR BLUES ORDEAL
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Today’s Ordeal includes bus pickup at the Convention Center Hyatt, a stop at the OB outpost in Lyons where it all began (you get to hand-can and label a souvenir beer), tour the Hops & Heifers farm, check out REEB Cycles, grab beers at the Tasty Weasel tap room, tour the brewery and snag a Ten FIDY at the craft-casual CHUBurger. Tickets are $100 plus fees and for sale here.

MAGNOLIA BREWING BEER BRUNCH AT OLD MAJOR
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Here’s a bit of news … San Francisco-based Magnolia Brewing is beginning distribution in Denver and Boulder, the latest gem picked up by Crooked Stave’s distributing arm. To mark the occasion, Magnolia will host a multi-course beer brunch at Old Major with a Grateful Dead soundtrack. Tickets are $55 each and there are five seatings.Old Major, 3316 Tejon St, Denver

CELLAR SALE AT RIVER NORTH
Time TBA, but doors open at 1 p.m.: River North offers rare bottles from the last year, so the going could be very good. Format and precise time TBA.River North Brewery, 2401 Blake St #1, Denver

Epic’s digs in RiNo (provided by Epic).

EPIC FIRKIN FIASCO
2 p.m.-7 p.m.: Another second-year event, this one at the Denver tap room and brewery of Salt Lake-based Epic Brewing before GABF Session No. 1. Epic always has tons of beer on tap so it is only fitting that unleash 50 different unique cask beers meant to bring home the breadth of the brewery’s offerings (a taste: a mild ale brewed with cascara coffee cherries, and a pale with whole-leaf Cascade hops and grapefruit). Tickets are a reasonable $25 plus fees and include a 7-ounce tasting glass.Epic Brewing, 3001 Walnut St, Denver

ELEVATION BEER CO. AT FRESHCRAFT
3 p.m.: The Poncha Springs brewery that has made a great go of it turning out high-end beers at a high elevation brings a couple of special ones to the LoDo craft beer space … Little Mo’ Porter aged for three months in Wyoming Whiskey Bourbon Barrels, and Mountain Phoenix Dark Roast Coffee, a collaboration beer aged in bourbon barrels.Freshcraft, 1530 Blake St, Denver

HYATT ROCK THE DOCK
3 p.m.-5 p.m.: According to the folks at River North Brewery, Aurora-based distributor CR Goodman will host an evet called Rock the Dock, “a mini-beerfest featuring some of Colorado’s best breweries.” The only thing to confirm at the moment is that River North is one of those breweries, as that is the brewery’s distributor. The company also distributes Funkwerks, Left Hand, Bristol and Upslope.

ODELL TAP TAKEOVER AT THIRSTY LION
3 p.m.-6 p.m.: The Denver outpost of the gastropub chain Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill turns the taps over to Odell Brewing. At least one rarity is on tap – Gramps Oatmeal Stout, one of the brewery’s “Roots Releases” that will be available in its fall Montage variety pack. Flights available.Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Grill, 1605 Wynkoop St, Denver

BRECKENRIDGE-GREAT DIVIDE COLLABORATION DINNER AT AMATO’S
4 p.m.-6 p.m.: Join Breckenridge’s Todd Usry and Great Divide’s Brian Dunn for a collaboration dinner at the Ale House at Amato’s, the Breckenridge/Wynkoop concern just over the Highland Bridge. For details and pricing call 303.433.9734.Ale House at Amato’s, 2501 16th Street, Denver

GREEN FLASH PARTY AT LUCKY PIE LODO
4:30 p.m.: One of San Diego’s finest featured at the pizza and craft beer place.Lucky Pie, 1610 16th St., Denver, CO

UPSLOPE AT WORLD OF BEER LODO – new
5 p.m.: Billed as the biggest Upslope tapping ever, with a whopping 32 beers from the Boulder-based brewery that has stretched its ambitions with the addition of a second, larger production brewery and bombers in cans. Beers include collaborations with Crooked Stave and a couple of coffee shops.World of Beer LoDo, 1555 Blake St, Denver

Beer geek nirvana at the first What the Funk!? Festival (Eric Gorski, The Denver Post)

WHAT THE FUNK!? (sold out)
6 p.m.-10 p.m.: The third installment of the sour, wild and funky gathering of breweries assembled by Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, including several that don’t pour at GABF. The once-again stellar lineup includes Cascade out of Portland, St. Louis-based Perennial, Austin-based Jester King and many more. Ones to watch include Berkeley’s The Rare Barrel, which drew long lines and ran out of beer fast at last spring’s WTF!?, and Troy Casey’s new venture, Casey Brewing and Blending. The $80 tickets went on sale in mid-August and are, alas, sold out.Exdo Event Center, 1399 35th St, Denver

METAL BREWERIES PRESENT … A METAL SHOW
6 p.m.: For the second straight year, Denver’s rising TRVE Brewing teams with fellow metal-loving breweries Three Floyds Brewing, Surly Brewing Company and Real Ale Brewing Company for an evening of beer and metal featuring EYEHATEGOD, Valient Thorr, Primitive Man, Call of The Void, Khemmis and Abrams. Show tickets are $15 and available here.Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver

NEW BELGIUM AND ODELL SPECIAL RELEASE AT STAR BAR
6 p.m.: Special releases from two of the state’s biggest craft breweries. Details to come.Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St, Denver

SKA AND CIGAR CITY AT FRESHCRAFT
7 p.m.: Durango-based Ska Brewing and Cigar City of Tampa, Fla., share the spotlight and the taps at Freshcraft. GABF Week is typically the only time all year locals get to taste Wayne Wambles’ fanciful creations so try to hit at least one of the Cigar City tappings this week. Or if you have a GABF ticket, wait in the long line at the festival hall.Freshcraft, 1530 Blake St, Denver

KROC WORLD BREWERS FORUM
8 p.m.-midnight: Is there a longer running GABF Week event? For the 20th year, the Broomfield-based Keg Ran Out Club (KROC) hosts the World Brewers Forum featuring craft brewing industry speakers and samples from club members’ homebrews. Best of all, it’s free (must be 21 or over to attend).Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California St, Denver

NEW BELGIUM AFTER PARTY AT STAR BAR
9 p.m. – close: GABF after party will feature a collection of cellared Lips of Faith beers and live music at Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St.

Friday, October 3

OSKAR BLUES ORDEAL AND GOSPEL BRUNCH
8 a.m.- 3 p.m.: The final bus run up to Longmont and environs begins at the Hyatt again, runs up to the Hops & Heifers farm for a “soul-saving” Gospel brunch, visits to REEB Cycles and Bike CANtina, the Tasty Weasel and a Cajun-style lunch at Home Made Liquid & Solids. Tickets are $100 plus fees and available here.

HOGS & HOPS BRUNCH AT THE SHERATON DENVER DOWNTOWN HOTEL
10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Brunch and beers on tap from New Belgium, Odell and Great Divide made specially for 16Mix, the hotel patio. That’s what it says. Those guys made special beers for a patio? $24.95 per person includes beer tasting.Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver

CITY O’ CITY PIPEWORKS BRUNCH
11 a.m-2 p.m.: This one comes recommended … vegetarian restaurant City O’ City has landed a great one in the up-and-coming Chicago brewery Pipeworks, which has been getting plenty of notice in the Windy City for its hop bombs and small-batch experimentation. Even better news … Tivoli Distribution is bringing Pipeworks bombers to the Denver market. Three courses and dessert paired with Pipeworks beers for $45 per person. Call the restaurant at 303-831-6443 for reservations.City O’ City, 206 E 13th Ave, Denver

CIGAR CITY AND SWEETWATER AT HOPS AND PIE
11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.: Tampa-based Cigar City and SweetWater of Atlanta take over the taps.Hops and Pie, 3920 Tennyson St, Denver

Beers Made by Walking takes inspiration from nature

BEERS MADE BY WALKING
Noon-4 p.m.: One of the more inventive and inspiring GABF Week events returns. Creator Eric Steen invites brewers out on nature hikes and challenges them to create new beers inspired by plants encountered on the trail. The fourth annual event will showcase 20 Colorado breweries serving beers inspired by treks up mountain peaks, through lush canyons and community gardens. Another 10 beers from out-of-state breweries that fit the “indigenous” style category will be served. The guests include Wicked Weed of Asheville, N.C., Scratch Brewing of Alton, Ill., and Ladyface Ale Companie of Agoura Hills, Calif. Tickets are $40 and go on sale at noon Sept. 3 here.Wynkoop Brewing, 1634 18th St, Denver

Fifty breweries bring rare, exotic and vintage beers for a good cause.

FALLING ROCK TAPPINGS
Noon: Annual Sierra Nevada Kill a Keg. How long will it take to drain the season’s first keg of Harvest Ale? Help speed up the process by stepping up to the bar, where one person will be filling glasses of a 15.5 gallon keg as quickly as possible.
1 p.m. Boulevard Brewing (Kansas City)
2 p.m. New Holland Brewing of Michigan
3 p.m.: Anderson Valley of California
4 p.m.: Epic Brewing Beers from the Salt Lake City brewery
9:30 p.m.: Taste of the Windy City featuring breweries from Chicago’s ever-improving craft brewery scene (outside).
10 p.m.: Stone Brewing Co. of Escondido, Calif.
10:30 p.m.: Dogfish Head of Milton, Delaware (outside)
11 p.m.: Elevation Beer Co. of Poncha Springs
11:30 p.m.: Epic Brewing tappings from the Denver brewery in River North.Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St, Denver

KENNY LAGER PARTY AT THE BSIDE
Noon-5 p.m.: A handful of Colorado breweries will showcase their lagers at the BSide, the new eatery and craft beer bar in Uptown. Kenny Loggins … Kenny Lager. There you have your theme. Kenny/nautical-themed costumes (?) are encouraged and the best will have prizes showered down upon them. Odell says it will bring Keller Pils and Oktoberfest. Ride into the Danger Zone.The BSide, 1336 E. 17th Ave, Denver

DENVER RARE BEER TASTING
1 p.m. – The sixth edition of the Pints for Prostates Denver Rare Beer Tasting will again take over the McNichols Civic Center Building. This always sells out. As of now, tickets still available online here for $110. This year’s lineup of rare, exotic and vintage beers from 50 breweries includes 15 first-ever participants. Here is the just-released pour list.144 West Colfax Ave (at Colfax and Bannock), Denver

SIEBEL SENSORY ANALYSIS SEMINAR
1 p.m.- 5 p.m. – The Chicago-based Siebel Institute of Technology, one of the nation’s top centers for beer education, teams with the Brewers Association for an in-depth seminar designed to train brewers and beer enthusiasts in sensory evaluation of beer and the brewing process. Smelling and tasting beer included. Tickets are limited in number and a pricey $200 a pop plus fees.Denver Marriott City Center, Mattie Silks Room, 1701 California St, Denver

It’s good to be king.

ALPHA KING CHALLENGE
1 p.m.-4 p.m.: The return of the loose competition to honor the very best of hoppy beer. Sponsored by Hopunion, Brewing News Publications and Three Floyds of Indiana. Kirk McHale of Thai Me Up/Melvin Brewery has won the crown the past two years. (Note to self: plan a family vacation to Jackson Hole next year). Most beer goes to judges but attendees usually get a taste.
Rock Bottom Brewery, 1001 16th St, Ste. A-100, Denver

UPSLOPE TAPPING AND LUNCH AT CHEBA HUT
1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Boulder-based Upslop paired with food from the sub place Cheba Hut, which has a sneaky good beer list.Cheba Hut, 1531 Champa St, Denver

CLASS OF ’89 RELEASE PARTY: ODELL AND BOULEVARD AT FRESHCRAFT
2 p.m.: Two legacy breweries with a shared founding date – rock solid Fort Collins-based Odell Brewing and Kansas City-based Boulevard (now controlled out of Belgium) – join to pour beers that presumably are not that old at Freshcraft.Freshcraft, 1530 Blake St, Denver

DENVER BEER CO. COLLABORATION CELEBRATION
3 p.m.-9 p.m.: Denver Beer Co. is brewing up collaborations with five breweries from across the U.S. and reps from each will be on hand to mingle with guests and pour those beers. Breweries to be named later.1695 Platte St, Denver

DOGFISH HEAD EVENT AT LUCKY PIE LODO
4 p.m.: Tapping of special offerings from Delaware-based Dogfish Head. No more details at the moment.Lucky Pie Pizza and Tap House, 1610 16th St, Denver

FIRESTONE WALKER AT WORLD OF BEER LODO – new
5 p.m.: Behold the power of scale … the World of Beer franchise offers a big national platform to breweries and breweries know it. The impressive WOB GABF Week lineup continues with standout Firestone Walker bringing a stunning portfolio of 23 beers from Paso Robles, Calif. Owner David Walker and decorated master brewer and good guy Matt Brynildson will be in attendance.World of Beer LoDo, 1555 Blake St, Denver

GREAT AVERY BOULDER FEST
8:30 p.m.: Local bands and local beers take the spotlight in the People’s Republic. Featuring live music from The Magic Beans and Analog Son. Avery promises rarities from the tap room and offerings from from Adam Avery’s cellar. Tickets are available online and run $20.

BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY AND 97.3 KBCO PRESENT KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE
9 p.m.: The first of two funk and soul shows Breckenridge Brewery is hosting at the Ogden Theatre. The brewery promises to be giving away tickets in advance on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, in addition to from its GABF booth in the convention center hall. Still more free tickets will be there for those taking part in Breckenridge’s “7 Denver Bars, 7 Rare Beers” promotion. Or if you are unlucky or procrastinating, tickets are $15 in advance or $25 at the door.Ogden Theatre, 935 E Colfax Ave, Denver

AVERY BREWING’S ROBE ONE OUT AND HARDCORE/SOFTCORE ANNUAL PARTY AT STAR BAR
10 p.m.: The return of the Robe One Out party, featuring rare beers from Avery Brewing in Boulder.
Sample the ABV spectrum – from the big beers the brewery is known for (17 percent and up) to its newer explorations of session beers.Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St, Denver

AFTER-PARTY AT HI-DIVE
9 p.m. -close: New Belgium and Perennial Artisan Ales will combine for an after-party at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway, featuring music from The Blue Rider and Bud Bronson and the the Goodtimers. Entry is free with GABF ticket stub.

NEW BELGIUM TAP TAKE OVER AT HYATT REGENCY
New Belgium Brewing will take over the taps at the Hyatt, 650 15th St., with 10 beers.

Saturday, October 4

BREAKFAST WITH THE BRUERY AT CHEEKY MONK
8 a.m.-11 a.m.: The traditional early-morning breakfast at the Colfax Belgian beer bar with Patrick Rue of the Bruery. The Orange County brewery typically brings a few kegs and Rue usually pops open some bottles. Reservations available at (303) 861-0347.Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Bar, 534 E Colfax Ave, Denver

NEW BELGIUM TAP TAKEOVER AT THE CONVENTION CENTER HYATT REGENCY
Noon: It’s right across from the GABF hall. Fort Collins’ New Belgium brings 10 beers to the Strata Bar at the Hyatt Regency at the Convention Center.Hyatt Regency, 650 15th St, Denver

12TH ANNUAL GABF FALLING ROCK BEER TASTING WITH DR. BILL
8 p.m.: This longstanding tradition downstairs of Falling Rock Tap House is orchestrated by “Dr.” Bill Sysak, the beverage coordinator at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens. It’s an informal, freewheeling affair. Sysak has promised to pour 100 great offerings from … well, too many good breweries to name from the U.S. and beyond. The suggested contribution is $40 to help pay for the beers and tip the staff. This is a big bottle share – participants can bring their own contributions.Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St, Denver

STATION 26 BLUEGRASS BRUNCH
11 a.m.- 3 p.m.: One of Denver’s welcome additions to the brewing scene helpfully suggests out of town visitors grab one more beer on their way to DIA. Housed in a renovated city fire station, Station 26 Brewing on the east side of town hosts its monthly Bluegrass Brunch with live music from the Hayward Strangers, plus Glazed & Confuzed, Rolling Smoke BBQ and ice cream from Milk Money.Station 26 Brewing, 7045 E 38th Ave, Denver

BEER BRUNCH BRUNCH AT WORLD OF BEER LODO – new
Time ?: Not sure what it is, but “infusion tower Bloody Marys,” and surely lots of beer left from the week.World of Beer LoDo, 1555 Blake St, Denver

I’m so excited about everything on this list (and GABF itself, of course)! Also, Epic and Our Mutual Friend are both creating Radlers for charity at the 1400 Miles finale party on Sunday 9/28. $20 donation gives access to the goods and other RiNO drink specials. Looks fun. Maybe should add it to this list? http://bit.ly/1ouiVvF

Our new iPad app serves as a guide to metro Denver’s bountiful breweries, beer bars and bottle shops, the holy trinity of craft beer enjoyment for followers and fans. Download the app for iPad .
Next time you head for a beer in Boulder, don’t forget your friend, Beers of Boulder and Boulder County, an iPad app from the Daily Camera. Download the app for iPad .

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In Colorado, our pint glasses overflow with excellent beer. New breweries, new batches, festivals every other week. How lucky are we? First Drafts is The Denver Post's beer blog aimed at helping you keep tabs on the state's ever-expanding craft beer culture. We offer a mash of news, event coverage, homegrown stories, tasting notes and tips to help you imbibe. Expert drinker or homebrewer? Let us know what you're loving about Colorado's beer scene. Not sure exactly what a firkin is? No worries, let us be your guide. Go ahead. Belly up and drink it in!